Vayelech(Deuteronomy 31)

Vayelech 5773

GOOD MORNING! One of my favorite stories is of the house painter who deeply regretted stealing from his clients by diluting the paint, but charging full price. He poured out his heart on Yom Kippur hoping for Divine direction. A booming voice comes from Heaven and decrees, "Repaint, repaint ... and thin no more!" Yom Kippur begins Tuesday evening, September 25th.

Rabbi Avraham Bukspan once shared with me an insight into Yom Kippur -- The Day of Atonement. "Atonement" is a conjunctive of "At One-ment" -- of reconnecting, strengthening the relationship with the Almighty, the reconciliation of the Almighty with each of us. Yom Kippur is our opportunity to reunite our spiritual essence -- our soul -- with the Almighty.

Intuitively, each of us knows that we have a soul -- that part of us which contains our conscience and drive to do the right thing. The Torah tells us, "... and He blew into his (Adam, the first human being) nostrils the soul of life ..." (Genesis 2:7). If we realize that our essence is spiritual -- and eternal -- it places a whole different perspective on life. We need to be concerned about our bodies and our health and make every effort to sustain them, but the real importance is the soul, because that is our true self. Yom Kippur is about the soul.

Throughout the year we either bring merit to the soul or sully the soul through our actions and behavior. The 613 mitzvot of the Torah are there to help each of us develop our soul and perfect it. From the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul through Yom Kippur (40 days) we introspect, review the year and our interactions with the Almighty and our fellow human beings. We work on repairing what needs repairing. Yom Kippur is the culmination.

The Torah gives us special mitzvot, commandments, for Yom Kippur to help us see more clearly that we are souls and to help us relate to life on a soul level. The Torah states, "This shall be an eternal decree: In the seventh month [counting from the month of Nissan] on the tenth of the month you shall afflict yourselves and all manner of work you shall not do, neither the native born nor the convert amongst you ... before the Almighty you shall be purified" (Leviticus 16:29-30).

These "afflictions" are ways for us to minimize the body's control over our lives. What are they? There are five "afflictions" on Yom Kippur (from before sunset Tuesday, September 25th until nighttime -- when the stars come out -- Wednesday evening, September 26th) -- we are prohibited from: eating/drinking, wearing leather shoes, marital relations, anointing the skin with salves and oils, and washing for pleasure.

By negating the body, we give preeminence to the soul. Life is a constant battle -- between the yetzer tov (the desire to do the right thing, which is identified with the soul) and yetzer hora (the desire to follow your desires, which corresponds with the body). The Talmud compares the body to a horse and the soul to a rider. It is always better to have the rider on top of the horse -- to have the rider controlling the horse and not the horse controlling where the rider is going!

Jewish tradition teaches that on Yom Kippur the yetzer hora, the desire to follow your desires, is dead. If we follow our desires, it is only out of habit. On Yom Kippur we can break our habits! Here are three questions to think about on Yom Kippur to help you develop your life plan:

Am I eating to live or living to eat?

If I am eating to live, then what am I living for?

What would I like written in my obituary or on my tombstone?

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the anniversary of the day Moshe brought down from Mount Sinai the second set of Ten Commandments. This signified that the Almighty forgave the Jewish people for the transgression of the Golden Calf. For all times this day was decreed to be a day of forgiveness for our mistakes. However, this refers to transgressions against the Almighty. Transgressions against our fellow human being require us to correct our mistakes and seek forgiveness. If one took from another person, it is not enough to regret and ask the Almighty for forgiveness; first, one must return what was taken and ask for forgiveness from the person and then ask for forgiveness from the Almighty.

In the prayer service we say the Viduy, a confession, and the Al Chet, a list of transgressions between man and God and between man and man. It is interesting to note two things. First, the transgressions are listed in alphabetical order (in Hebrew). This not only makes a comprehensive list, but gives a framework to include whatever transgression you wish to include under the proper letter.

Secondly, theViduy and Al Chet are stated in the plural. This teaches us that we are one people and that we are responsible for each other. Even if we did not commit a particular offense, we carry a certain measure of responsibility for those who transgressed --especially if we could have prevented the transgression.

The Rambam, Maimonides, teaches that each individual's life is always on a balance -- like the old-time scales where the weights were put on one side and the produce on the other side -- and that each of us should think before doing an action that this transgression or that this mitzvah (commandment) could tip the scales.

Likewise, Rambam teaches that each community, each country and ultimately the world is judged in the same manner. Thus, an individual should not only think that his transgression or fulfillment of a mitzvah tips the scale for him alone, but may very well tip the scale for all of mankind!

On Yom Kippur we read the Book of Jonah. The lesson from the story is that God readily accepts the repentance of anyone who sincerely desires to do Teshuva, to return to the Almighty and to the path of the Torah -- just as He did with the people of Ninveh.

There is still time to get a copy of Inspiring Days and Beyond Survival to get a better understanding of the holiday, the prayers, the prayer services and the opportunity that is afforded to you to grow in spirituality, to come closer to the Almighty, to perfect yourself and to perfect the world! It is available at your local Jewish bookstore, at JudaicaEnterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242.

By the way, if you wish to keep focused that you are a soul and not a body, train yourself to say "My body is hungry" and not "I am hungry"!

May you have a meaningful Yom Kippur and a sweet and healthy year!

SOME IDEAS TO MAKE THE
HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES MORE MEANINGFUL:

1) Take pleasure! You made an important decision to attend. Don't regret it.

2) You are not there to be entertained. You are there to accomplish something on a spiritual level -- to come closer to the Almighty, to introspect, to set yourself on a better path in life.

3) Don't blame the service or the rabbi or the prayerbook. If you want to you can prepare in advance -- read the machzor (the special prayerbook for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) to understand the ideas and the words. Read the Rosh Hashana Yom Kippur Survival Kit by Shimon Apisdorf (available at your local Jewish bookstore, at JudaicaEnterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242). Make a list of what deeds or behaviors you regret, would like to correct and would like the Almighty to forgive.

4) The mind seems to have 2 tracks -- a person can talk and think about what he wants to say next; he can read and think about something else; he can pray and think about a million other things. When reading a silent prayer, concentrate on what you're reading. When listening to the chazan (the person leading the service) focus on a spiritual thought -- "Almighty, I love You" "Almighty forgive me." "Almighty help me." It prevents thinking about the score of the game, bills due, repairs needed at home. Most people will not understand the Hebrew liturgy being chanted. However, even if the mind can't understand it, the heart and soul can take nourishment from the words, the tune, the atmosphere. Relax and listen to the essence.

5) Make the best use of your time. Look at the commentary on the prayers. Bring something about Yom Kippur to read. And if you are really suffering, then just ask, "Almighty, please accept all of my suffering for being in synagogue as an atonement for my transgressions."

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Torah Portion of the WeekVayelech

Vayelech begins with Moshe passing the torch of leadership to Yehoshua (Joshua). Moshe then gives Yehoshua a command/blessing which applies to every Jewish leader:

"Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid or feel insecure before them. God your Lord is the One who is going with you, and He will not fail you nor forsake you."

Moshe writes the entire Torah and gives it to the Cohanim and Elders. He then commands that in the future at the end of the Shmita (Sabbatical Year) the king should gather all the people during Succot festival and read to them the Torah so "... that they will hear and learn and fear the Lord your God and be careful to perform all the words of the Torah."

The Almighty describes in a short paragraph the course of Jewish history (that's starting from Deuteronomy 31:16 for the curious). Lastly, before Moshe goes to "sleep with his forefathers," he assembles the people to teach them the song of Ha'azinu, the next weekly Torah portion, to remind them of the consequences of turning against the Almighty.

* * *

Dvar Torahbased on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"And now write for you this song" (Deuteronomy 31:19).

This verse contains the last commandment in the Torah - to write a Torah scroll. The Chofetz Chaim noted that this mitzvah comes right after the verse which states that the Almighty will hide His presence from the people because of their transgressions. The reason this commandment follows the previous verse is to teach us that even in times of darkness and destruction when one engages in Torah study one will find much light and consolation.

Hundreds of families in Israel are unable to afford groceries for Yom Tov (the holiday). This group gives them coupons redeemable only for food. They arrange with the supermarket to get an extra 10% on every dollar you give them. I know they are legitimate and I give them money! Send your tax-deductible contribution to: Keren Y&Y, 805-A Roosevelt Ct., Far Rockaway, NY 11691http://www.kerenyehoshuavyisroel.com

Visitor Comments: 1

(1)
Marilyn Bennett,
September 21, 2012 5:16 AM

May you be inscribed and sealed for a Very Good Year!

Dear Rabbi Packouz, Thank yous so very much for your continuous guidance and inspiration in Torah. Your chesed is most deeply appreciated as is your wonderful sense of humor. It's good to know you are there. May you and your family be abundantly blessed for a g'benched yur.

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